Sunset on the Fraser River
The Neighbourhood
An ethnically diverse neighbourhood within Ontario Street on the west and Knight Street on the east, Sunset extends from 41st Avenue south to the Fraser River in southeastern Vancouver, British Columbia. Like most of southeast Vancouver, the area was once mostly working class, but rising prices everywhere have made the area increasingly popular with young professionals and families no longer able to afford houses on the west side.
Background
Formerly part of the incorporated District of South Vancouver, the neighbourhood became part of Vancouver in 1929. As farmland sloping southward to the river with clusters of homes and villages by the 1860s, when the Fraser River was a full day’s journey to the Granville Townsite on the Burrard Inlet by boat or overland through forest and swamp, Sunset welcomed the advance of Westminster Avenue, now Main Street, south from Mount Pleasant in 1910.
The first immigrants from Punjab arrived in Vancouver in the 1890s. Most of them settled in the area around Main Street and 49th Avenue, and many established restaurants and businesses there. Over the years the Sunset neighbourhood has become for Vancouver’s estimated 160,000 South Asian residents a central assembly point of culture and commerce.
The number of Punjabi speakers increased steadily for decades. It is now the most common language in Sunset. More than one in four, 26 per cent of the Sunset population, in 2006 spoke Punjabi as their first language compared to less than three per cent of the general city population, 21 percent spoke Chinese, and 24 percent English. Businesses, restaurants, and services catering to these communities proliferated along Fraser and Main streets; prominent among them was the Punjabi Market.
Information Links:
http://southhillbia.ca
http://vancouver.ca/green-vancouver/sunset.aspx
http://www.mysunset.net
The Punjabi Market
The Punjabi Market is a commercial district and ethnic enclave in a roughly six-block section around Main Street and 49th Avenue. Vancouver is home to more than 200,000 people of Indian and Pakistani descent, nowhere more vibrant than at the Punjabi Market, a world of glittering bangles, flowing saris, and rich curry aromas. The neighbourhood gives visitors a glimpse of South Asian culture on Canada’s Pacific Coast. Shops sell fine silk saris in a rainbow of bright colors and elaborate gowns with thousands of tiny inlaid gems. Bhangra music from Bollywood films pumps out of storefronts. Fine jewelers offer exquisite gold rings, bracelets, and necklaces. In April, the Punjabi Market celebrates Vaisakhi Day, the Sikh New Year, with a colorful parade through the streets attracting thousands of spectators.
Vancouver’s Punjabi Market has been a city fixture for decades, but the 2013 municipal Assessment Roll Report finds the area in financial trouble: “Values here are down about 15 percent as the regional [Indo-Canadian] retail hub continues to shift towards Surrey.” Even Tourism Vancouver says the Punjabi Market is struggling. Once famous for many jewelry stores, the Punjabi Market now displays lots of empty space for lease. Elsewhere across the city, retail property value assessments rise but decline here as businesses relocate to Surrey.
The Punjabi Market Association says the district needs some help from the city, province, and federal governments if it’s going to survive. The Surrey Board of Trade says its city offers lower rents and taxes than does Vancouver.
New Sunset Live MLS Listings
Sunset, Vancouver, BC
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219 W 42ND Avenue in Vancouver: Oakridge VW House for sale (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2605839
219 W 42ND Avenue Vancouver V5Y 2T2 
$7,250,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2605839
- Bedrooms:
- 4
- Bathrooms:
- 3
- Floor Area:
- 2,952 sq. ft.
LOCATED DIRECTLY across from COLUMBIA PARK! Great opportunity in OAKRIDGE AREA for this Development site with 2-2.5 FSR Cambie Corridor plan zoning for 4-6 storey building on W.42nd Ave and Columbia St. TWO LOT ASSEMBLY. Sold in conjunction with Corner Lot, 211 W.42nd Ave. Total Site is almost 13,000 Square Feet. Prestigious Westside Oakridge Location, close to Skytrain, Oakridge mall, shops and restaurants. Mins from Langara Golf Course & Queen Elizabeth Park. School catchment French Immersion General Gordon Elementary and Churchill Winston Secondary, Sir William Van Horne, Eric Hamber schools. Investors/developers Alert. More detailsListed by RE/MAX City Realty
- Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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43 W 49TH Avenue in Vancouver: Oakridge VW House for sale (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2529809
43 W 49TH Avenue Vancouver V5Y 2Z4
$6,000,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2529809
- Bedrooms:
- 8
- Bathrooms:
- 3
- Floor Area:
- 3,989 sq. ft.
!!INVESTOR ALERT!! Large 49.52'x146.86' (7273 SF) lot located directly across from Langara College, walking distance to Canada Line Station. Langara Golf Course & Oakridge Mall. Offered for sale in conjunction with 35 W49th avenue to provide a large 12,182 SF site.Wonderful family home, just under 4000 SF. Beautifully renovated with lots of original charm. Gorgeous kitchen - light filled & spacious featuring stainless steel appliances & granite countertops. Total 8 bedrooms including a completely renovated 2 bedroom suite with high ceilings, 4 bedrooms upstairs, covered deck facing north with spectacular mountain views. More detailsListed by LeHomes Realty Premier - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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168 W 48TH Avenue in Vancouver: Oakridge VW House for sale (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2711204
168 W 48TH Avenue Vancouver V5Y 2Y7
$4,880,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2711204
- Bedrooms:
- 5
- Bathrooms:
- 6
- Floor Area:
- 4,020 sq. ft.
1st TIME ON MARKET & RARELY AVAILABLE! High-quality custom home in the most desirable Oakridge area, next to Langara College & minutes from Canada Line. This gorgeous house features a timeless design, beautiful millwork & moulding, functional floor plan, high-ceilings, air-conditioning, South-facing back yard & 2 BEDROOM laneway home w/ covered garage parking. Top floor consists of 3 bedrooms, each w/ an ensuite. Large media room, den, office and living spaces, roller blinds, gourmet kitchen, Wolf gas-range, extra-wide Sub-zero fridge, quartz countertops, backsplash, quality appliances, spa-inspired bathrooms & soaker tub for yourself to enjoy. 10 minutes to DT & Richmond. 1 bus to UBC & Metrotown. Steps from parks & various schools. OPEN HOUSE 24 & 30 2-4PM More detailsListed by RE/MAX City Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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173 SW MARINE Drive in Vancouver: Marpole House for sale (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2636865
173 SW MARINE Drive Vancouver V5X 2P9
$4,810,575Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2636865
- Bedrooms:
- 6
- Bathrooms:
- 2
- Floor Area:
- 2,600 sq. ft.
Developers & Investors Alert! 2.5FSR Cambie-Marpole Plan, Up to 6 Storeys apartment project site. 3 lots (153-173 SW Marine Dr. ) Total lot size 15107 SF. Potential to assemble 3 extra lots, roughly 12050SF to the east side neighbors. Great location walk to Marine Gateway shopping center and skytrain station. Top schools catchment, minutes to Oakridge Mall, downtown, Airport & Richmond! More detailsListed by Dracco Pacific Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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165 SW MARINE Drive in Vancouver: Marpole House for sale (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2738703
165 SW MARINE Drive Vancouver V5X 2P9
$4,406,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2738703
- Bedrooms:
- 7
- Bathrooms:
- 4
- Floor Area:
- 3,015 sq. ft.
Developers & Investors Alert!! Cambie-Marpole Plan, Up to 6 Storeys APARTMENT BUILDING. 2.5FSR project site. 153-173 SW Marine Dr. Total lot size 15107 SF. Potential to assemble 3 extra lots, roughly 12050SF to the east side. True rare opportunity for investment or development in prestigious Westside and future!! Great location walk to Marine Gateway shopping, all amenities and More detailsListed by Dracco Pacific Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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228 W 47TH Avenue in Vancouver: Oakridge VW House for sale (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2703797
228 W 47TH Avenue Vancouver V5Y 2Y2
$4,080,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2703797
- Bedrooms:
- 5
- Bathrooms:
- 5
- Floor Area:
- 3,120 sq. ft.
Located in one of the most sought-after neighborhoods. 5 bedrooms & den, 5 full baths, high ceiling foyer. Lots of skylights bring in beautiful sunlight & making each room bright! Luxury crystal chandelier in dining room. Radiant heat hardwood flooring. 2 Fireplaces in the living room and family room. Fully fenced backyard with a spacious covered deck patio. Tile roof, 3 car garage plus extra parking. The basement suite has a separate entrance. Steps to Langara College, YMCA, Langara golf course, Skytrain Station, Oakridge Mall, Eric Hamber Sec & Van Horne Elementary Catchment. All sizes are approx. only, buyer to verify if important. Enormous potential for living, renovation, rent, or development. Excellent tenants on a month-to-month basis. More detailsListed by Pacific Evergreen Realty Ltd. - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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153 SW MARINE Drive in Vancouver: Marpole House for sale (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2636850
153 SW MARINE Drive Vancouver V5X 2P9
$4,002,075Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2636850
- Bedrooms:
- 6
- Bathrooms:
- 2
- Floor Area:
- 2,216 sq. ft.
Developers & Investors Alert! 2.5FSR Cambie-Marpole Plan, Up to 6 Storeys apartment project site. 3 lots (153-173 SW Marine Dr. ) Total lot size 15107 SF. Potential to assemble 3 extra lots, roughly 12050SF to the east side neighbors. Great location walk to Marine Gateway shopping center and skytrain station. Top schools catchment, minutes to Oakridge Mall, downtown, Airport & Richmond! More detailsListed by Dracco Pacific Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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35 W 49TH Avenue in Vancouver: Oakridge VW House for sale (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2530383
35 W 49TH Avenue Vancouver V5Y 2Z4
$4,000,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2530383
- Bedrooms:
- 5
- Bathrooms:
- 2
- Floor Area:
- 2,432 sq. ft.
Investor Alert!!! Great deep lot located directly across from Langara College, walking distance to Canada Line Station, Langara Golf Course & Oakridge Mall. Offered for sale in conjunction with 43 W49th avenue to provide a large 12,182 SF site. Property to be sold "AS IS, WHERE IS". More detailsListed by LeHomes Realty Premier - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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139 SW MARINE Drive in Vancouver: Marpole House for sale (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2738380
139 SW MARINE Drive Vancouver V5X 2P9
$3,590,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2738380
- Bedrooms:
- 4
- Bathrooms:
- 2
- Floor Area:
- 1,660 sq. ft.
Developers & Investors Alert!! 6 Lots land assembly. Cambie-Marpole Plan, Up to 6 Storeys APARTMENT, 2.5FSR. Total lot size:27158SF, estimate buildable size:67895SF. Rare opportunity to hold or build in Westside!! Great location, close to Marine Gateway shopping, all amenities, Canada Line Station, and top schools; minutes to Oakridge Mall, downtown, Airport & Richmond! More detailsListed by Dracco Pacific Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
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121 SW MARINE Drive in Vancouver: Marpole House for sale (Vancouver West) : MLS®# R2740548
121 SW MARINE Drive Vancouver V5X 2P9
$3,510,000Residential Detached- Status:
- Active
- MLS® Num:
- R2740548
- Bedrooms:
- 9
- Bathrooms:
- 8
- Floor Area:
- 3,292 sq. ft.
Developers & Investors Alert!! 6 Lots Land Assembly. Cambie-Marpole Plan, Up to Storeys APARTMENT, 2.5 FSR. Total lot size: 27158SF, estimate buildable size:67895SF. Rare opportunity to hold or build in Westside!! Great location, close to Marine Gateway shopping, all amenities, Canada Line Station, and top schools; minutes to Oakridge Mall, downtown, Airport & Richmond! Well maintained property, 11 years new, with laneway house. More detailsListed by Dracco Pacific Realty - Aedis Realty
- 604-688-8669
- 604-657-1111
- Contact by Email
